Spice Girls star Emma Bunton was said to be "devastated" after learning that her beloved pet labrador Phoebe had been found dead on railway tracks by a member of the public.

The dog was thought to have been killed in an accident on Monday shortly after it went missing.

Former police officer Tom Watkins, who was enlisted to help find the dog, said: ‘That is where she was found, lying between the tracks. It is very sad but at least now the family have closure. Network Rail was contacted and a worker went on to the track and retrieved the body.

‘She must have slipped under the fence and been hit by a train. I believe the accident happened on Monday, shortly after she went missing.’

The singer, currently working as a presenter on Heart Radio, had been campaigning on Twitter for fans to help the search, after the dog went missing on a daily walk on Sunday.

Emma wrote on Twitter on Wednesday: "To all the amazing people who supported us at this horrible time, our precious Phoebe has been found and its terrible news, we are devastated."

Fans have been flocking to her page to offering their sympathies.

Myleene Klass, Tulisa and Melanie C had helped to spread awareness and rally support in the hunt for Phoebe, with the story even making it across the pond to America.

Earlier in the week she had written on Twitter: "My gorgeous brown Labrador went missing on daily walk, she will be so scared please look out around East Barnet, Hadley Wood, Trent Park.

"Her name is Phoebe! She is so gentle, please look out for her... I'm in bits, thank you for all your reassuring messages! Please keep looking."